Route to the eastern Pyrenees?

[mike_c]

Hiya All,
Just wanting advice about a trip I would like to take to France this summer. We have a place to stay in the Pyrenees and really looking forward to the trip through france. There will be four of us on two bikes..... With the better, fairer and more sensible halves on the back.......
We were thinking to take 3 days (2 nights) to go through france and wondered on the routing- we are heading for Mediterranean side of the Pyrenees and will use that place for holiday and exploring around those parts taking about two weeks.
We are thinking to get south of Paris as quickly as possible and then get off the motorway. Camping and B and B's on the cards.
Would be interested in advice and routings and how many miles we can do without irritating the Mrs so much that she wants to get off.

Any advise is welcome!

 

[Giles]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=315950

..... might give you a few ideas??

 

[Wapping]

How far can your wife go without getting into a strop? It's your wife, you tell us.

You have three days to go roughly 750 miles. That is 250 miles a day. Can you manage that? I would hope so.

You do not need to anywhere near Paris, unless you feel you have to. Assuming you want to get to somewhere around Carcassonne, go roughly:

Calais
Le Mans
Poitiers
Perigeuex
Toulouse
Carcassonne

OR

Calais
Rheims
Troyes
Roanne
Carcassonne

All possible down a mixture of decent main and lesser roads. You could go one way and come back the other.

Got a map or two? No? Get them. What sort? See sticky.

Camping en-route is a mugs' game. It just wastes time, unless you are good at it. Go to a cheap decent hotel, where the walls, roof and bed are ready built.

 

[mike_c]

Mine, actually does not complain at all but there is always the other.... But its good to be considerate. As you say 250 a day should be no problem.

Absolutely, not going near Paris......

Troyes I have been too and great!

Was thinking more about the road less travelled and interesting places on the way there rather than simple division of miles per day.... That I think I can do for myself.

 

[Wapping]

Someone is bound to say: Millau Bridge and / or Oradour-sur-Glane

Oradour fits in with the Le Mans option, as would the Le Mans 24 hour race museum. Poitiers has the 1356 battle field. Chateauxs litter the Loire.

The bridge fits in with the Troyes option.

What sort of things do you want to see? Villages? Towns? Cathedrals? Gorges? Museums? Great roads, mate?

Remember, you are hoping to average 250 miles a day on non-motorway ('less travelled') roads for three days. If you take half a day looking at the bridge, Le Mans or Oradour you will start to fall behind schedule. Of course it can be done but only you and your travelling companions know what you want or can manage.

Have a look at: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197540&highlight=miss

OK, it's the wrong end of the Pyrenees but it would be easy to adapt it. I have done the Troyes option in both directions several times.

Get yourself the Michelin 726 Route planning map (excellent for what you are asking for) and back it up with their 1:200000 scale map(s) to find the roads 'less travelled'.

 

[Giles]

How far can your wife go without getting into a strop?

That's very prejudiced of you Trixie - Mikes 'fairer and more sensible other half' might be called Julian.

 

[Wapping]

That's very prejudiced of you Trixie - Mikes 'fairer and more sensible other half' might be called Julian.

Jules and Sandy, I don't doubt How very bona.

 

[mike_c]

Cheers.... And that you for the politically correct concern..... I am pleased (although not judging) to confirm it she is a mrs rather than a Mr.....

The last times I went to Troyes it was in a transit van that broke down when petrol was filled rather than diesel on a french bank holiday weekend..... The A.A put us up in a nice hotel whilst they drained the tank.... Would like to go back under better circumstances...... And no it was not mine and I did not fill it.....

M

 

[Riders Rest]

Since it has been mentioned if you were looking to do Oradour and the Millau, don't forget the volcanos in between the two and maybe Rocamadour...

 

[Giles]

Diesel not petrol ??? What sort of a twat would do that ...

It was one of those moments when your heart misses a beat and the world stands still.

I stared at the fuel nozzle that I'd just put back in it's housing in disbelief. I still had my hands on it, and it was black. I was willing it, no, begging it to turn green but it stood firm with its menacing sneer. I slowly mutterd to myself 'you complete and utter cnut' and saw the next hour or two of my life flash before me in a few seconds.

Two of my colleagues were at the tills paying, as they came out I called them over 'blokes .... blokes ... I can't believe what I've just done .... I've filled my bike up with diesel....

The bastards promptly pissed themselves laughing and were absolutely no help what so ever!!. I had to suffer the indignation of calling up on the radio, announcing to the whole escort team that I was temporarily out of play because ... errrrr ...... well ...... errrr ...... ummmmm .... yes ... I'd .... errr ... put diesel in my bike.
I paid for the fuel cringing as the cashier girl cheerily confirmed (in her blissful ignorance) '15 litres of diesel love ?' praying that nobody in the queue behind would hear or cotton on.

Oh joy of joys, if there's a joke, pun, innuendo to be had, I suffered every single one of them! The bike was recovered (didn't start it obviously) and I jumped on a spare before the time adjustment stop was even over.

£40 bill at the bar in Manston barracks that night !

A few days later I went to workshops to pick the bike up. I was met with rapturous applause from all the mechanics and my bike stood alone in the corner - adorned with lit fairy lights, and covered in pictures of diesel / unleaded fuel pumps.

So far I've peeled off about nine 'unleaded' crescent stickers that I've found secreted onto the bike - and when I lift the single seat hump where the radio is stored (and I keep my water proofs) I'm greeted by the automated 'Warning diesel... Warning diesel' ... motion sensor voice as a permanent reminder. (until I find the fecking thing and rip its heart out ... ).

Ahhhhhhh happy days ....

 

[mike_c]

Petrol rather than diesel..

 

[Wapping]

The Troyes option it is then. Good choice

Get the 726 map and follow the Bis Tourist Routes, it's what they are designed for. Making progress across a big country, without necessarily hitting the motorways.

 

[Sharky]

IF you're on your way to Spain and looking for a B&B enroute we are about an hour south of Poitiers and 40 minutes from Oradore-Sur-Glane www.allbikescharente.com

 

[Duall]

Hi,
If you are heading east of the Pyrenees, we are an easy days ride in our town Capestang and about 15 miles from the sea. I also offer wine tours so you can treat the ladies too.
Our rental: www.lepetiteplatane.com
Wine tours: www.south-westy.com
Enjoy your holidays!
Alfonz